TCA 2011: Fox talks FRINGE and Season 4 expectations on Friday nights

One of the big wins for the Fox network last season was the risky move of its signature science-fiction series FRINGE from Thursday nights to Fridays – resulting in sustained ratings and giving Fox a stronghold on what has been a traditionally difficult night for them.

At today’s Summer 2011 Television Critics Association session with Fox Entertianment President Kevin Reilly, he says their expectations for FRINGE going into Season 4 on Fridays is more of the same.

“One of the good things of having a strong network is we can support creative shows that should be on the air,” says Reilly. “These guys have done extraordinary work. One of the great victories last seasons, not only cheering on the rejuvenation of AMERICAN IDOL, but the Friday night victory of FRINGE. The audience was so loyal, they stayed with it. I don’t expect it to grow. It’s a complicated show, but people should catch up with it. It’s a great show and people do discover it. If FRINGE can do exactly what it did last year, we would be happy with it.”